Grooming your Shetland Sheepdog - By: Camille Goldin

The Shetland Sheepdog is known for its luxurious double coat. Their short, wooly undercoat helps keep them warm while their long outer coat protects them the harsh rays of the sun. Thus, it comes as no surprise that as with all longhaired dogs, the Shetland Sheepdog tends to shed a significant amount of fur on a daily basis. This is why regular dog grooming is absolutely crucial to all Shelties. Contrary to the belief of some, combing a dog’s coat is not just done out of leisure. Regular brushing actually helps by collecting your dog’s fur instead of having it end up stuck all over your home furniture.

Taking your dog to a proffessional groomer is always an option, but during hard economic times like this, grooming our dogs ourselves may seem like a more viable option. A lot of people may see this as a burden, but in reality, grooming your Shetland Sheepdog can prove to be more of a bonding experience between you and your loving companion rather than it just being a chore for you.

However, before getting started it may be helpful to get all your tools ready. An undercoat rake is essential to help you remove the dead fur from your Sheltie’s undercoat. Pin brushes work well with wet hair and slicker brushes to help remove mats while helping distribute the natural oils on your Shetland Sheepdog’s coat for a smooth and silky finish. Of course, don’t forget about thinning shears to remove stubborn mats and tangles, especially ones that form inbetween your dog’s paw pads. Last but not the least, nail clippers or nail files.Nails that are left uncared for can eventually causeserious problems for your dog which may affect their ability to walk.

Remember that while grooming your Shetland Sheepdog, it always helps to use products such as liquid detanglers. Such products not only make the experience of grooming more pleasant for your dog, it makes your job easier as well. To begin the process , it is always better to begin grooming your Sheltie’s undercoat.

Mats and tangles commonly form around your Sheltie’s underarm area or groin. The key here is having enough patience to untangle the mats as you don’t want to end up hurting your Shetland Sheepdog by simply tugging on their hair. To avoid future problems like this, comb these areas, including the area behind their ears on a daily basis. Finally work your way towards their hind legs and tail. Trim their nails and their coat when necesarry but keep bathing at a minimum, preferably every 1-2 months as you wouldn’t want to end up stripping their skin of its natural oils leaving their hair in even worse condition. Just keep these tips in mind and you’re good to go!

About the Author

Camille Goldin, shares some tips on grooming a Shetland Sheepdog. Learn more about Dog Grooming from TrainPetDog.com

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Camille-Goldin/77114

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